Pakistan’s military has destroyed multiple Afghan Taliban posts in the Chaman sector in retaliatory strikes, as civilian casualties mount from cross-border shelling. The escalation marks the latest phase of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, launched to eliminate terrorist safe havens across the border.
Retaliatory Strikes Target Afghan Positions
Security sources confirmed that Pakistani forces carried out “full-scale actions” against Afghan Taliban aggression on Tuesday, destroying several enemy posts including the Sarshan, Al-Marjan and Edhi installations, as well as an Afghan vehicle. The strikes came in response to what the military described as unprovoked aggression by Afghan Taliban forces and Fitna al-Khawarij militants along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
“The designs of terrorists and their patrons will be reduced to dust,” security sources said, vowing that Operation Ghazab lil-Haq would continue until all objectives are achieved.
Civilian Casualties Mount
Three members of the same family, including two children, were martyred in Afghan Taliban shelling in Bajaur’s Katkot border area earlier this month, according to security sources. The attack targeted Malik Shaheen village, with three others seriously wounded. In a separate incident in South Waziristan, two women were among three civilians injured after Afghan Taliban forces opened fire on civilian areas following a foiled infiltration attempt.
Security sources described the cross-border attacks as “unprovoked acts of aggression” and noted that Afghan Taliban forces had been attempting to facilitate infiltration by Fitna al-Khawarij militants into Pakistani territory.
Operation Ghazab lil-Haq: Casualty Figures
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar reported that 796 Afghan Taliban regime personnel and terrorists have been killed and over 1,043 injured since the operation began. According to the minister, 286 Afghan Taliban posts have been destroyed and 44 captured, while 249 tanks, armoured vehicles, artillery guns and drones belonging to the Kabul regime have been destroyed by security forces.
Military Leadership Vows Continued Action
The army’s top brass, during the 274th Corps Commanders’ Conference chaired by Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, pledged to continue Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq until terrorist safe havens in Afghanistan are eliminated. The forum reaffirmed that “all terrorist proxies operating on the behest of India and other external sponsors, along with their facilitators and abettors, will be pursued and eliminated, relentlessly, and without exception.”
Pakistan Rejects Afghan Propaganda Claims
Pakistan has strongly denied Afghan media reports alleging missile and jet strikes targeting Sayed Jamaluddin Afghan University and nearby residential areas in Kunar province. The Ministry of Information’s fact-checking handle described the reports as fabricated, asserting that Pakistan conducts precise, intelligence-based operations. The ministry accused Afghan media of spreading misinformation “to cover up the support to terrorist groups and proxies like the Fitna al-Khwarij and gets amplification from Indian media.”
China Mediates Peace Talks
China has emerged as a key mediator in the conflict, hosting peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Urumqi. China’s foreign ministry confirmed that both countries agreed during meetings to explore a comprehensive solution and not to take actions that would escalate or complicate the situation. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi confirmed that Pakistan sent a delegation of senior government officials to the talks.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that negotiations are “advancing steadily” and that China will continue to communicate with both countries, providing a platform for dialogue. “Both Pakistan and Afghanistan attach importance to, and welcome, China’s mediation, and are willing to sit down for talks again, which is a positive development,” Mao said.
